Five Reasons to Read This Book

One. There is, quite literally, in this book, a trope for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, there’s only one bed, or anything else you might name: there’s a story for you here. And each story has a different take on the trope, a different setting it’s in, so that not every one of these stories is contemporary like you may have thought. Instead, we have fantasy, science fiction, apocalyptic historical dystopia… Truly, something for everyone.

Two. It’s mostly gay. Like seriously. Only three of these stories feature straight people which, quite frankly, is what we all need more of I think. And within that, these aren’t just white gay stories. If you’re looking for books you might label “diverse” (in itself quite a nebulous label I suppose), this would be one of those. It displays a vast array of experiences within the LGBT community (although, yes, there are gaps, but there are only so many hours in the day! Or pages in a book… I guess).

Three. Linking in with the above point, there’s something so freeing about seeing LGBT folks falling in love. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with books where they are dealing with trials and tribulations and overcoming them, but sometimes all you want is to see those characters living their best lives, loving and being loved. And this is a whole anthology worth of those such stories.

Four. Sometimes, you just want to have a bit of fun and binge read romances and, in this current climate, who could blame you? If you find yourself feeling that way this December/New Year, then Fools in Love is the book for you. If all you want is to curl up somewhere warm (or cool, depending on your timezone), then you couldn’t do better than doing so with this book.

Five. And finally let us mention a few of our absolute favourites here!

* Rebecca Barrow’s Bloom is, really, a real highlight of this anthology. It’s achingly, hauntingly romantic, about grief and love and revenge. And a romance between a girl and the daughter of the man who murdered her mother.

* Rebecca Podos’ Disaster involves a second chance romance at the end of the world, that leaves you with a feeling of hope at the end. And it uses the word lesbian multiple times!

* Natasha Ngan’s Silver and Gold starts the anthology with a bang (no pun intended). It’s a masterpiece in how to get you caring about characters, a relationship, and a whole world in less than 20 pages.

* Ashley Herring Blake’s Edges is a beautifully quiet tale, a story about making assumptions that turn out to be often wrong. It’s a story that says there’s more to everyone around us, everyone has their own history.

I love a good romance trope, I can’t lie. When I first saw this book available on NetGalley, I instantly requested it. It turned out to be nothing like I expected, but not in a bad way.

Fools in Love is incredibly, containing stories with a diverse set of main characters. While I loved that aspect of it and recognize that this book is going to be well-loved by many, it wasn’t for me. It feels very much like something I would have loved in late middle school/early high school, though. So… you know who YA was actually written for 😂

From a writing aspect, these stories also didn’t feel too different from each other. I was looking forward to different writing styles, but this felt very much like one author the whole time. It makes it cohesive, but you do lose a lot of the beauty of featuring multiple authors.

Overall, I still would recommend this to a younger audience!

Thank you to the publisher (and NetGalley) for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Great collection, loved the queer representation, but did make me realize I am not a short story person unless it’s litfit. Love the authors!

Fools in Love is a short story compilation focusing on teen LGBTQIAP romances, contemporary, fantasy, and science fiction. Each story is separate with no connections to other stories in the anthology. Some are better than others, as one could assume - but overall it was an enjoyable time reading these stories by some amazing authors.

I definitely suggest this for those readers who need more LGBTQIAP in their lives and adore simple, romance tropes. As with most short stories, they are... short, so don't expect fully defined plots and huge character growth - these are short, fun, and include other levels of diversity as well. One of my favorites included was a story featuring Jewish MCs.

**Thank you to Running Press Kids and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review**

Thanks to Netgalley and Perseus Books for the ARC of this! All thoughts and opinions are my own :)

I am obsessed with Ashley Herring Blake, so when I saw that she was the editor on this anthology I requested it right away! I’m so glad I did, because all the stories were adorable. So many were great, but my absolute favorites were: Boys Noise by Mason Deaver, Disaster by Rebecca Podos, and The Passover Date by Laura Silverman. The only story I didn’t like was written in second person, and I just don’t enjoy that as a reader, the characters and plot were interesting, and had my brain not been yelling “I’ve never done that, that’s not me!” every time it said you, I probably would’ve enjoyed it. I can never decide with second person if it’s meant to be drawing me in and making it relatable or whether I’m supposed to read it as if there’s a narrator speaking to one main character, but I just don’t like it.

I really enjoyed that there was so much diversity, in the genres, settings, and characters. Definitely recommend this for fans of any of the included authors, fluffy queer YA lovers, and people who enjoyed the All Out anthology.

This collection of short stories was delightful! Full of diverse characters, the stories include tons of LGBTQ+ and POC rep from a bunch of Own Voices authors. I had read some of these authors before, but most of them were brand new to me and I will definitely be checking out more of their stuff! Each story follows a certain trope often found in the romance genre, but they range from contemporary to fantasy to science fiction and more. There were a few stories that I would have wanted to see turned into fully fleshed out novels as the ideas were so fresh and exciting. I recommend to anyone who wants to curl up with a collection of sweet, light, diverse stories!

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fools in love is a collection of short stories featuring 15 different authors. It features some typical and famous love tropes with a lot of amazing representations! Overall loved the idea and I have my expectations for some of the authors! This is perfect for lovers of LGBTQ+ romance and comes with a variety of genres! We have fantasy, magical stories, contemporary ones and more!

Let’s see about each story individually!

Silver and Gold by Natasha Ngan – 4.5 stars
Lesbian and Bi Reps
This was nothing like what I was expecting, although I should have know that something wild would come from Natasha Ngan! This is a story set in an impossible competition of wolf-sledging. It was definitely unexpected and I loved how much the story was built in so less time. I can’t help but want more of those characters and would definitely read a full novel like this! Great start!

Five Stars by Amy Spalding – 4 stars
Lesbian Reps + Anxiety Rep
This was more on the line of what I was expecting of a Romance Anthology. It was sweet and fun to read and I was completely engaged in the romance! This is much like an unexpected Uber Ride experience! It was quite simple but it definitely gave me all the right feels.

Unfortunately, blobs do not eat snacks by Rebecca Kim Wells – 3 stars
Lesbian Reps
This is a one-sided enemies to lovers story with some magic and fantasy elements. I would have liked it a bit longer and had some more insight of the world since we are thrown into the middle of it all. It was interesting and I would read more about the magic in this world. The two characters are in a final exam to graduate from their magical school but things don’t go as linear as they thought it was going to be and they end up having to save a city instead.

Edges by Ashley Herring Blake – 3 stars
Bi and Lesbian Reps
This was a cute school romance with two very different characters and a lot of misunderstandings. One of our mc is afraid of being hurt and alone. She closes herself by saying that others didn’t even really want to be with her, while she is the one putting up walls and not others. I could definitely identify with that… I found it definitely cute but nothing really special.

What makes us heroes by Julian Winters – 3.5 stars
POC mc + Bi and Gay Reps
This is a super hero story with some cool super powers and an enemies to lovers story. It also talks about how one shouldn’t be defined by what their parents are or aren’t and that you should be with someone you love and not just because it would be best. I found it really cute and it definitely gave me all the cute feels!

And by Hannah Moskowitz – 2 stars
Bi and Polyamory Reps
This is a romance featuring a love triangle, which is incredibly common to see, but in this one we have also some polyamory reps, which made it more unique. I wasn’t a fan of the story however. I get the concept and it would have been fine, if only I actually had cared for any of the characters? It was all way too fast and I by the end was just not invested in it.

My best friend’s girl by Sara Farizan – 3 stars
Bi and Lesbian Reps + Persian and Chinese American Reps
This is a cute love triangle set in high school with some superhero elements. It was quite cute and I really liked how much friendship it had in it too! Loved their relationship and how much it meant to them.

(Fairy)like attracts like by Claire Kann – 4 stars
POC mc and Lesbians Reps + Plus-size Rep
This is a story set in a camp where they work with kids (kinda like a summer camp for two days?), reenacting different types of fairies. Our mc tho has some fairy qualities herself, like not being able to lie, which makes it a lot more difficult when she is paired with her crush! This was really cute and it definitely surprised me at the end!

These strings by William Rivera – 5 stars
Latinx Rep
This story is all about puppets and family traditions! I really enjoyed this one. It gave me all the feels, it was subtle and it was fun! I loved that even tho sometimes is difficult to step up to family, our mc was willing to follow her dreams. Also, I love puppet stories so, this was a win for me!

The passover date by Laura Silverman – 4 stars
Jewish Rep
This is about a Passover Seder date family tradition. Our mc keeps on not bringing a date for the past years. This is the first year she manages to bring someone so naturally that’s a big thing! I really liked the tradition in the book, especially done like our mcs family! And the romance was super cute and simple! Lovely passover cheddar. If you know, you know! 😛

Bloom by Rebecca Barrow – 5 stars
POC mc and Lesbian Rep
This story is about time. And how to wield it. I don’t want to give more than that because this was a gorgeous story and I think it’s just best if it surprises you. I loved how tender and beautiful it was written and I loved how strong the romance was, I could just feel it you know? Loved it.

Teed up by Gloria Chao – 4 stars
Taiwanese American Rep
This is about a girl being on a so called “boys world” – golf. How difficult it is for her to be accepted just for being a girl. Everyone either says bad things behind her back or wants to get close for the wrong motives, until Liam. Liam changes everything and it’s beautiful! Loved seeing her finding herself and her love for golf. Super cute even if I know nothing about golf!

Boys noise by Mason Deaver – 3 stars
Trans Gay Rep
This is about two boys in a boy band called Boys Noise. Dealing with all the downsides of being in a boy band that has a lot of rules for both their protection and for the desired outcome from the public, they decide to run away for a day or so to New York for one of the boys’ birthday. Their relationship developed really slowly and nicely and it was quite cute to read about!

Girls just want to have fun by Malinda Lo – 3 stars
Lesbian Rep + Chinese” Rep
This is about a princess that ends up falling in love with a normal girl during a night. It’s very sci-fi and the story is really cute and inventive. There’s a lot about the world and it seems really interesting. Reminds me of a contemporary Cinder.

Disaster by Rebecca Podos – 3.5 stars
Jewish Lesbian Rep + Bi Rep
End-of-the-world romance to end the anthology! This was a really cute romance full of misunderstandings that lead to the perfect ending. It’s a second chance romance and I couldn’t root more for the happy ending!
Overall this was a really cute collection of very diverse stories. My favs have to be: Silver and Gold, These Strings and Bloom!

If you are into romances and all things queer and diverse, this will be perfect for you!

This was a really cute romance anthology! My favourites were Edges by Ashley Herring Blake, And by Hannah Moskowitz, and The Passover Date by Laura Silverman.

Thank you to Running Press and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is an absolutely delightful collection of short stories that spanned a wide range of genres and featured all of the best and most-loved romance tropes, like enemies to lovers, only one bed, secret royalty, fake dating, and many many more! All of the stories were really fun and interesting, with great BIPOC and queer diversity (almost every story is queer!!!). Highly recommend if you're looking for a fun, quick read!

Honestly, I am not one for anthologies but when I saw Julian Winters on here, I knew I had to give it a shot. And I am so, so glad that I did.

From girls sled racing to a fluffy heroxvillian story, I just became FULLY obsessed with this book and placed it on preorder immediately.

There was such an array of books in this anthology which is something I think people will really appreciate. While there were certain stories that felt rushed or not fleshed out enough, the ones that I enjoyed completely captivated me. Also, as someone who doesn’t always have a ton of time to read, these were really quick little stories that I snuck in during different parts of my day. And boy oh boy did they make me so happy. They stole my heart and I cannot wait to go through and annotate a physical copy.

Also, I’m pretty sure everyone knows this but me, but anthologies are freakin amazing! Like how does everyone not screech about them all the time? If I could, I would read this for the first time over and over and over again.

Needless to say, I truly enjoyed this and genuinely cannot wait to read more from these authors.

A fun anthology of short love stories, unusually from a wide variety of genres and had a lot of queer stories.. Unfortunately a lot of the stories I didn’t find that entertaining or find myself interested in, but others I was really gripped by. Wish there had been more I had meshed with!

Finally I'm done! This collection took me forever because I struggle to connect with characters when it's just a brief little story with them.

Recommended: for some people
If you like short stories, if you can buy into love stories quickly, if you're a sucker for those "first confession / first kiss" kind of scenes

Thoughts:
UGH. I'm so sad I'm starting this off with a groan, but... dang. I always struggle with short stories, but I had hoped this would be different. I live for those moments in books where the characters finally come together and admit how they feel, but this collection just didn't do it for me. If any of my difficulties below resonate with you, then you might want to dodge this one, but I think a lot of folks will treasure this collection.

Issue #1: since they're all short stories, they all read as insta-love to me because it happened in the course of 10-15 pages.Even in the tropes that necessitate a history (ex. friends to lovers, second chance) it all felt so rushed! I didn't really know or care about the characters in most of these because I barely knew them. My pleasure at seeing two people find love was muted by the fact that they still felt like strangers.

Issue #2: if I did like a story, it was over too soon!This is again an issue more inherent to the style itself, since obviously yes short stories are going to be short! With a collection like this, on the stories where I did start to like the scene or setup, it ended, and I'd go into the next story resenting that I had to read something new and not the one I liked. Really a personal issue, but if you're as petty as me, this might take you out of it as well. 😅 I had hoped that I would get consistent tiny rushes of dopamine from each as I fell in love over and over again with the characters, but alas... a lot of it fell flat for me. The fall was that much harder when it came after one that I had enjoyed.

Maybe issue #3: it's truly YA, with all teen characters and chaste scenes. I think this is expected going into a young adult collection, but in case you're wondering, this is not at all explicit. A lot of the stories don't even end with a kiss, and more of a promise of the chance of something new.

Maybe issue #4: I hope you like tropes! Since this is a varied collection of stories based entirely on different love tropes, you'd better like the tropes. If familiar story lines are going to bore you, then this is obviously not for you! I found most of the ideas of the tropes to be ones I liked, and only had one that I skipped entirely (time-travel love, a la the one with the letters mailed across time). That one was astonishingly long, which I noticed as I quickly flipped through pages looking for the next story. Prepare to commit for that one -- either to reading, or to page-flipping! This is also THE MAIN DRAW OF THE BOOK! So if you're not sure if you'll like that, why are you even here? xD You can safely skip this one and try something else. Maybe check out All Signs Point to Yes instead (YA stories of all kinds of love, based on Zodiac signs).

Not an issue #5: practice writing these tropes yourself! I think this collection would be excellent for anyone teaching writing particularly in high school, or anyone working on their own skills in writing romance and love. Each story is categorized by the trope theme it follows, and it could lead to some fun activities in classes.

My list got kind of weirdly structured by the end, and any of these items could be a pro or con based on who you are. This was a tough one to rate, but ultimately the rating ("it was ok...") reflects my own experience and not whether I think it's a good book or if others will like it. I think a LOT of folks will embrace this one! But if you're like me and struggle with short stories and insta-love, you might also want to skip it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Perseus Books for a free advanced copy! This is my honest review.

A delightfully entertaining anthology which breathes new life into familiar romance tropes such as “Snowed In Together,” “Only One Bed,” “Mistaken Identity” and “Fake Dating.” There’s an amazing amount of diversity and representation here, with the majority featuring LGBTQ characters and relationships. The overall balance skews a little more towards f/f pairings, but bi, gay, trans, and straight characters all have their time in the spotlight as well. The selections range across genre, including contemporary, fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction, and superheroes. As to be expected by a romance collection, the tone tends to be joyous and uplifting, but the authors don’t always shy away from conflict and complicated emotions. My only real complaint is that many stories feel too short, ending too soon and leaving the reader wanting more.

A quirky anthology of short love stories, with a wide variety of genres within it. I appreciated that so many were queer stories, and the different types of stories. As a reader for the most part it kept me engaged and on my toes, but it also meant some stories I just did not vibe with. Overall a really fun collection.

I thought I would love this twist on romantic tropes. It is actually quite difficult to rate. I love some of the stories, both others were a miss for me. Also this is much better suited for a younger audience. I can enjoy YA, but some of these felt very surface level for me. Overall fun, but didn’t really pack a punch.

most anthologies are hit or miss in my opinion, especially the compendiums with a slew of authors. that said, i really enjoyed claire kann, rebecca barrow and malinda lo’s entries.

Fools in Love is an anthology about popular different romance tropes reimagined. The stories in this anthology reminded me the ability for a short story to pack a punch and suck you in and give you all the feels. I really loved the representation in this book, with many LGBTQIA+ stories in it.

My favourite stories in this anthology were:

Boys Noise by Mason Dever - This was a cute story about a boy band and two of its members escaping for a birthday weekend away. I loved how sweet Felix and Lev were, and just how honest they were about how they felt. It also had the "only one bed" trope on point. I have never read anything by Mason Dever, but I will be checking more out by them in the future!

Teed Up by Gloria Chao - Again another cute story, but it really packed a punch of how the pressure of providing for her family, Sunny is just not enjoying moving toward being a professional golfer. She also faced a lot of sexism participating in a tournament that had always only had men/boys in it. Her romance with Liam is cute and sweet though and adds some lightness to the harder subjects. I have read Gloria Chaos books before and if you like her books, you will like this short story.

Bloom by Rebecca Barrow - This was an amazing story. Barrow is able to really touch on the grief and emotions of loss. This was a "love transcends space & time" and it was absolutely beautifully written.

Silver and Gold by Natasha Ngan - I will admit, I have loved Natasha Ngan's writing in her previous novels and this story did not disappoint. It had the heart and passion of her previous work and was an excellent, sapphic love story. It was a perfect length, but at the same time I could see this being a full length novel as well.

Of course, with all anthologies there were just some that didn't hit for me, but that was okay because they were quick to get through. If you love romance tropes, this book would be an awesome book to pick up. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love romance tropes. I love the emotional beats of the stories, I love all the expectations that come with tropes and readying myself for the inevitable ‘ah!’ moment where the trope blooms into something wonderful and exciting, and I love the inevitability of it all. So when I saw that Fools in Love, edited by Ashley Herring Blake and Rebecca Podos, was an anthology dedicated entirely to reimaginings of romance tropes? Count me in!

The Fools in Love anthology offers a range of short stories from a variety of genres. There’s your typical cosy romantic contemporaries that offer comfort in their familiarity and wonderful emotional beats, such as Laura Silverman’s adorable and ‘cheesy’ The Passover Date, wherein a Jewish teen, tired of being singled out as date-less, enlists the help of her old yet estranged best friend to be her fake date for her family’s Passover Seder dinner. If you’d like a fresh setting and something a little sporty, Gloria Chao’s Teed Up and take on ‘Oblivious to Lovers’ is a feel-good romance about a Taiwanese teen and amateur golfer who navigates familial pressures and, as the trope suggests, is completely oblivious to a fellow competitor’s pining and yearning during a golf tournament.

Perhaps you’re looking for a feminist and unique story about puppeteering, Lilliam Rivera’s endearing story These Strings will delight, where a Latine teen finds the courage to stand up to patriarchal traditions and prove that she’s ready to take her family’s puppeteering business to the next level, encouraged by her ‘Sibling’s Hot Best Friend’. Or, if you’ve ever felt frustrated by how love triangles and wondered why they didn’t just all end up together, then And by Hannah Moskowitz is for you – written in second-person perspective, the story follows three teens caught in a love triangle and how they explore an open and polyamorous relationship.

The wonderful thing about Fools in Love is that a significant number of the stories are queer – and how wonderful it is to see queer characters at the center of such stunning love stories. Amy Spalding’s simple yet utterly adorable Five Stars follows a teen who is mistaken as her crush’s ride-share driver – and rather than telling her crush that she’s not her driver, drives her crush to her destination instead and – of course! – they get caught in a traffic jam. Or, if you love the ‘Grump and Sunshine’ trope that delves into the complexities of mis(communication), then Ashley Herring Blake’s Edges will be a treat, a story about about two queer girls on very different ends of the high school ‘popularity’ continuum who are secretly friends with one another outside of school. In addition, Mason Deaver’s Boys Noise about a queer trans boy and popstar is taken on a whirlwind birthday date by his fellow bandmate in New York where the hotel has ‘Only One Bed’.

Fools in Love also offers a few ‘quiet’ stories where the world beyond isn’t perfect or, even, about to be hit by an asteroid. (Fairy)Like Attracts Like by Claire Kann is a twist on the ‘Mutual Pining’ trope, about a Black fairy working at a summer camp who is cursed to never tell a lie, offering a fascinating glimpse into a whole backstory of fairies and curses. The anthology’s final story, Rebecca Podos’ quiet and bittersweet Disaster, follows a teen stranded at school three days out from an asteroid hitting earth and ending life as she knows it – and thus decides to find her ex at her family home in a twist of the ‘Second Chance Romance’ trope.

Perhaps you’re looking for a queer story with high stakes – then I highly recommend diving into the first story of the anthology, Natasha Ngan’s Silver and Gold follows two queer teens of colour who compete in a deadly race across snowy terrain and mountains but are ‘Snowed in Together’, where they share a night of kisses, secrets, yearning, and shelter from the danger outside. Moreover, Rebecca Kim Wells’ fun Unfortunately, Blobs Do Not Eat Snacks takes place during a magical school exam, where two queer girls tasked with investigating and identifying a magical occurrence, but discover something sinister at play instead and ‘Kissing Under the (Magical) Influence’ accidentally happens.

Fools in Love even offers us two superhero stories! Julian Winter’s emotionally-charged What Makes Us Heroes follows a Black teen and ‘hero-in-training’ with elemental ice powers who is waiting in a cafe, hoping to bump into his ex – but meets with local ‘villain’, Kyan, and has a thoughtful exploration of social justice, performativity, and how perception is everything, a fleshed out take on the ‘Hero vs Villain’ romance trope. (Also, Julian, when are we getting a full-length superhero story from you?! We need it!) Sara Farizan’s sweet and endearing My Best Friend’s Girl follows a teen and best friend of a budding superhero who are both in love with the same girl.

Rebecca Barrow’s Bloom was one of my two favourite stories in the anthology. A take on the ‘Love Transcends Time Space’, a trope that makes me weak and yearning, Bloom is a gorgeous historical fantasy about a girl who uses a magical blossom, promised to take you to the place you need to be, to travel back in time to kill her mother’s murderer – but finds herself meeting a girl she never expected to meet. This story was riveting and just so splendid – from the gentle romance, to being torn apart, to finding every way possible to traverse space and time once more to be reunited… Bloom was such a gem in this anthology, and Barrow’s beautiful and tender writing made me want to read every single book she’s ever written.

Lastly, Malinda Lo’s Girls Just Want to Have Fun whisked me away to another universe – and I had so much fun reading this. A twist on the ‘Secret Royalty’ trope, another trope that makes me absolutely feral, the story takes place in a Chinese-inspired space-opera-like setting, following a mechanic who helps a Princess who has escaped her duties and responsibilities to enjoy her life for an evening. From an Asian night market serving noodles on a space station to small mentions of monuments that tell stories of resistance and community, I loved the blend of familiar and new. (Also, a Chinese princess touring her empire’s cities, stations, and planets? I want to know more!) Honestly, this story made me want a space-opera or science-fiction story from Malinda Lo. (I’m ready to beg.)

MY CONCLUSION: RECOMMENDED

If you’re a lover of romance stories and romance tropes, then I can guarantee that there will be something for you in the Fools in Love anthology. I personally came away with some new favourite short stories and, more exciting, I came away craving for more. I’ll certainly be adding some of the anthology contributor’s works to my to-read lists, and am excited to discover their stories. A great anthology for lovers of romance, queer stories, and those looking for something fresh and new, Fools in Love is a beacon of the places that young adult literature and romance has still yet to go.

This was such a cute book filled with so many types of romances. I guarantee that you will find at least one trope you love in this book. Thank you to the publisher! <3

Ah, love. L-O-V-E Love *cue me quoting Ross Geller’s drunken speech from season ten of Friends*
Fools in Love: Fresh Twists on Romantic Tales is a sparkling anthology that invites you to fall in love with romantic tropes, old and new, beloved and unfamiliar to you. With fifteen short stories by a star-studded group of fantastic authors, this one’s a must buy for any romance lover – and the perfect gift this holiday season!
The authors truly went all out in this anthology – there are beloved tropes that I bet no one can say no to: Laura Silverman, for example, offers a wonderful take on the fake dating trope in her story “The Passover Date” that’s set during a Jewish family’s celebration of Seder. Not your cup of tea? Then perhaps Amy Spalding’s take on the Mistaken Identity trope or Mason Deaver’s tale of “there’s only one bed” might just be the perfect fit for you. And if those aren’t the ones that make you fall head over heels, I can guarantee that you’ll find something to love in the stories dedicated to secret royalty, mutual pining, or even a love that transcend space and time! From hilarious to sweet and emotionally impactful, these fifteen stories highlight some of the best romance tropes that we all love for good reason. Truly, there’s such a variety (and diversity!) that absolutely enamored me.
There’s also an astounding amount of depth to these short stories I wasn’t prepared for. It’s hard to make you ache, fear and cheer for your characters in such a short amount of time, but safe to say, these authors delivered! Additionally, beyond the romance themselves there’s also so much more to be discovered. Julian Winters, for example, offers an insightful discussion on what (or who) decides what makes a villain in his story “What Makes Us Heroes.”
While my favorite was Blake’s rendition of The Grumpy and the Sunshine One (another sapphic story!), I truly feel like there’s something for everyone in here. What surprised me perhaps the most – but really shouldn’t have – was how some stories were so good, they actually converted me to picking up certain tropes in the future that I wasn’t on board with prior to reading this anthology. I’m not the biggest fan of second-chance romance (it usually goes against my “resent and remember” approach to life) but Podos – who also co-edited this lovely anthology – delivered such a sweet, sapphic, summery depiction of it in “Disaster” that I’m now itching to get my hands on more tales that give lovers a second chance at a happily ever after.
Bottom line, whether you’re going to pick this up with a certain trope (or author) in mind, be ready to fall foolishly in love with a trope you normally wouldn’t seek out on your own!
Celebrating romance in all its forms and proving that no one can sweep you off your feet quite like fictional characters, Fools in Love is an enchanting, genre-bending anthology that will have you falling in love with romantic tropes all over again!